It’s easy to focus on the fresh legs and rising stars. But look closer and you’ll find a different kind of story unfolding at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. These are the players whose careers have already stretched beyond what most athletes ever experience, whose presence on the field is as much about resilience as it is about legacy.
At a tournament increasingly shaped by youth, ten names stand out for the exact opposite reason: they’ve been here before. Many times. For a deeper look at how these aging icons are shaping the tournament, read our feature here.
Fábio (Fluminense, goalkeeper)
At 44 years and 260 days, Fábio is older than Lionel Messi by nearly seven years. On Tuesday, when he steps onto the pitch to face Borussia Dortmund, it will mark the 1,375th competitive match of his professional career. That number alone is staggering.
Fábio made his debut back in 1997 for a club that no longer exists. He has since passed legends like Gianluigi Buffon and Rogerio Ceni in total appearances. Only Peter Shilton stands ahead, for now. Shilton claims 1,387. Depending on how you count, Fábio may already be there.
He’s still Fluminense’s No. 1. Still starting. Still diving, still leading. In May, he signed a new contract through the end of 2026. He turns 45 in September.
Thiago Silva (Fluminense, center back)
Silva returned home to Rio after stints at AC Milan, PSG, and Chelsea. He’s now 40 and still starting at center back, a position that rarely forgives aging legs. But Silva isn’t just holding on. He’s commanding. Vocal. Reading the game with a clarity that only comes from two decades at the top.
For Fluminense, he’s a pillar—physically and emotionally. It’s hard to say how many more games he has left. But he’s savoring each one.
Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, goalkeeper)
Uganda’s most decorated player, Denis Onyango has won almost everything there is to win in African club football. At 40, he remains a steady presence in goal for Mamelodi Sundowns, the CAF Champions League regulars who have turned into a global fixture.
Onyango’s longevity is no accident. His timing, anticipation, and command of the box allow him to play with efficiency. And at this point, he’s not just defending the goal. He’s mentoring a generation.
Luka Modrić (Real Madrid, midfielder)
Modrić doesn’t age. He just recalibrates. At 39, he remains the quiet heart of Real Madrid’s midfield. The rhythm of his play is unchanged. One touch, look up, pass split between defenders. Repeat.
This will likely be his last Club World Cup, and maybe his last run with Real Madrid. If it is, he’ll go out the same way he came in: gliding through traffic, eyes always scanning.
Gustavo Cabral (Pachuca, center back)
Not many expected Gustavo Cabral to still be going strong at 39. But Pachuca have leaned on him heavily. The former Celta Vigo defender has adapted his game in Mexico, turning himself into a leader and anchor for the Liga MX side.
He’s one of the quieter stories in this list. But no less essential.
Enzo Pérez (River Plate, midfielder)
Enzo Pérez is 39 and still starting for River Plate, a club not known for handing out starting spots lightly. The Argentine midfielder plays with an edge. Grit and guile. He made a World Cup final in 2014 and now brings that pedigree into one more international club campaign.
He’s not flashy. But he is essential. Ask anyone in the locker room.
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich, goalkeeper)
Neuer turns 39 this year and is still considered one of the most technically proficient goalkeepers in the world. His sweeping style and unmatched footwork changed the position. Now, after a long injury layoff, he returns with something to prove.
If Bayern go deep in this tournament, Neuer will likely be a big reason why.
Sergio Ramos (Monterrey, center back)
Ramos has won everything. Four Champions Leagues. A World Cup. Multiple La Liga and Ligue 1 titles. Now he’s 39 and playing for Monterrey, bringing an edge to Mexico’s most ambitious club.
There was speculation this would be a farewell tour. Ramos didn’t get the memo. He’s still competing, still barking orders, still arriving late to headers and winning them.
Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders, goalkeeper)
A mainstay in MLS since 2009, Stefan Frei is 39 and remains a critical figure in Seattle’s squad. The Swiss-born American keeper is calm under pressure, unflinching in big moments, and one of the most respected voices in the league.
This may be his last major tournament. He’s earned every minute.
Oscar Ustari (Inter Miami, goalkeeper)
At 38, Ustari is still going. Injuries nearly derailed his career more than once, but the Argentine shot-stopper has rebuilt his form and fitness. He made three key saves in Miami’s Club World Cup opener against Al Ahl. Inter’s faith in him has been rewarded with consistency and poise.
He rounds out this list. Not the most famous name, but a career worth recognizing.
